Fruit-picking net



L. M, FLECKNER.

FRUIT PlCKlNG NET.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.28, 1919. RENEWED OCT. 26, 1920.

1,366,563. Patented Jan. 25, 1921.

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LUTHER MI. FLEGKNER, 01 SAN FRANCISCO, GALIFORNIA.

FRUIT-PICKING NET.

Application filed August 28, 1919, Serial No. 320,441.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LUTHER M. Fnncnnnn,

a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented a new and useful Fruit-Picking Net, 011' which the following is a specification in such'full and clear, terms as will enable those skilled in the art to construct and use the same.

This invention relates to a fruit picking net or apron and is an improvement upon my Patent No. 1,286,980, issued December 10, 1918. An object of this invention is to provide a frame which is easily assembled or disassembled, and in which the means for holding the net is easily movable either for the purpose of spreading the net out, or for collecting it in a small space for transportation.

Another object of the invention is to provide means which will be readily adjustable for the support of the outer portion of the net.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings in which the same reference numeral is applied to the same portion throughout, but I am aware that there may be modifications thereof.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the net in use adjacent a tree,

Fig. 2 is an elevation in vertical section of the net in use, as it appears attached to a tree,

Fig. 3 is a plan view on a larger scale, of the ring which connects the net to the tree trunk,

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the ring shown in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a plan view of one of the outer ring segments,

The picking net 1 has two chutes 2 and 3' through which the fruit is dropped to con venient receptacles placed below. This net is supported by a jointed ring consisting of two half rings 4 and 5, which when completed, surround the tree trunk.

The jointed half rings 4 and 5 are hinged Specification of Letters Patent.

Renewed Qctcber 26. 1920. Serial No. 419,767.

together by means of two hinges 6 and 7 so that there is a clear space for the movement of the parts connecting the net and the net supporting balls which lie within the tubular one-half rings 41 and At the opposite side of the ring from the hinges, there is a lug 8 which passes into an opening in a piece 9 secured on the inner side of the end of the ring 4. A pin 10 passes through the hole 11 to hold the parts of the rings to gether when in use. inside the ring are three lugs 12, 13 and 141, each having set screws 15, 16 and 17 to support the ring from the tree trunk.

The net, which may be of open work material or of canvas, as may be desired, is supported by means of a plurality of members 19 each of which has a ball 20 revoluble thereon and which series of balls lie within the tubular members 4 and 5 and placed therearound when the net is in use.

The adjacent radial edges of the net are provided with the rods 21 and 22, and when the net is in use, the pins 23 and 24 are placed in holes 01": the ring 5 adjacent the inner ends of said rods to hold the edges of the net together; note Fig. 3.

The outer edge of the net has a plurality of the members 19 and balls '20 connected therewith, which balls all lie within the annular tubular members 25 to 28 inclusive when the net is spread out.

It is to be noted that in the present illustration, four of the outer supporting members have been shown, but the particular number used is a matter of no moment, and more might be used if so desired.

Each of the members 25 to 28 inclusive is V tubular and provided with a slot in the plane of its curvature. Each 01 the members 25 to 28 inclusive telescopes in a coupling 28 on the end of its next adjacent member, and said couplings are each provided with a revoluble pin 29 which has a notch 30 cut in one side to permit the assemblage of the members 25 to 28 inclusive, after which the pin is rotated bymeans of the handle 31 to bring its opposite side'into engagement with the notch outside of said members to hold them all securely together.

Each of the couplings 28 is provided with a downwardly extending lug 32 to each of which is pivotally secured a tube 33 within which a rod 34: slides. Said rod is held in a given adjustment by means of a set screw 35 in the lower end of the tube 33. In order to prevent the rods 34 from going into the'ground too deeply, each rod is provided with a large washer 36. In the present instance there are four of the supports for the outer ring. may be varied at will. When the net is in use and spread out the outer ends of the rods 21 and 22 are held together by means of suitable pins 37 passed through holes 38 and 39 in one otthe couplings 28. When the net is not in use all or" the balls 20 at the outside of the net are assembled as close together as may be. The pin 40 is placed into the hole 41. f the tube 27 so that with one of the pins placed in theholes 38 and 39 the series of balls may be held in place within the tube 27 while the net is being transported. At the same time, the pins 23 and 24 may be'placed in the holes 42 and 43 in the member to prevent theballsat the inner edge of the net from dropping out of the tube while the net is being transported.

When not in operation the net is all assembled as close as possible on the rods 21 and 22 with the balls in the inner and outer rings close against each other, and may be transported to any convenient place. The inner ring is then opened and placed about the tree trunk, and is secured at any given elevation by means of the three set screws to 17 inclusive. The outer ring is then set up by entering the ends or" the'several members into the couplings 28 of the next adjacent members, and they are locked therein as previously described.

The supporting lugs are then adjusted at i the desired elevation whereupon the net is spread out by pulling it, around the two rings. One edge of the net'is held in a fixed place by means of the pins 28 and 24: and one'of the pins 37 in the outer ring. When the net has been stretched around so that by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows, express reservation being made of permissible modifications:

1. A fruit picking net comprising a tubular ring having its outer periphery slotted,

The number means to support said ring from a tree, a second ring having its inner surface slotted, means to support the latter ring at a distance from the first ring, a net extending between the two rings, and means within each ring connected to the net edges for holding it extended.

2. A fruit picking net comprising a jointed tubular ring having its outer periphery slotted, means to support said ring from a tree, a second tubular ring having its inner surface slotted, means to support the latter ring at a distance from the first'ring, a net extending between the two rings, and means within each ring connected to the net edges for holding it extended.

3. A fruit picking net comprising a ointed tubular. ring having its outer periphery slotted, means to support said ring from a tree, a larger second ring havingits lnner surface slotted, means to support the latter ring at a distance from the first ring, a net extending between the two rings, two ra dially extending rods connecting the 'rings and secured to the net edges, and means within each ring connected to the net edges for holding it extended.

i. A. fruit picking net comprising a tubular ring having its outer periphery slotted, means to support said ring from a tree, a second ring having its inner surface slotted, means to'hold the several parts of the latter ring together, means to support the latter. ring at a distance from the first ring, a net extending between the tworings, and means within each ring connected to the net edges for holding it extended.

5. A fruit picking net comprising a jointed tubular ring having its outer periphery slotted, means to support said'ring from a tree, a jointed tubular ring having its inner surfaceslotted, means to lock the several parts of the latter ring together, means to support the latter ring at a distance from the first ring, a net extending between the 7 two rings, two radially extending rods connecting the rings and connected with the net edges, means within each ring connected to the net edges to hold it extended, and means carried by the two rings for holding the rods adjacent one another when the net is spread out. r

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of December, A. D. 1918. e

LUTHER M. rnnoxnnn. 

